Shopping for God

Shopping for God PDF Author: James B. Twitchell
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1416545727
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 337

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Book Description
Not so long ago religion was a personal matter that was seldom discussed in public. No longer. Today religion is everywhere, from books to movies to television to the internet-to say nothing about politics. Now religion is marketed and advertised like any other product or service. How did this happen? And what does it mean for religion and for our culture? Just as we shop for goods and services, we shop for church. A couple of generations ago Americans remained in the faith they were born into. Today, many Americans change their denomination or religion, sometimes several times. Churches that know how to appeal to those shopping for God are thriving. Think megachurches. Churches that don't know how to do this or don't bother are fading away. Think mainline Protestant churches. Religion is now celebrated and shown off like a fashion accessory. We can wear our religious affiliation like a designer logo. But, says James Twitchell, this isn't because Americans are undergoing another Great Awakening; rather, it's a sign that religion providers-that is, churches-have learned how to market themselves. There is more competition among churches than ever in our history. Filling the pew is an exercise in salesmanship, and as with any marketing campaign, it requires establishing a brand identity. Successful pastors ("pastorpreneurs," Twitchell calls them) know how to speak the language of Madison Avenue as well as the language of the Bible. In this witty, engaging book, Twitchell describes his own experiences trying out different churches to discover who knows how to "do church" well. He takes readers into the land of karaoke Christianity, where old-style contemplative sedate religion has been transformed into a public, interactive event with giant-screen televisions, generic iconography (when there is any at all), and ample parking. Rarely has America's religious culture been examined so perceptively and so entertainingly. Shopping for God does for religion what Fast Food Nation has done for food.

Shopping for God

Shopping for God PDF Author: James B. Twitchell
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1416545727
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 337

Get Book Here

Book Description
Not so long ago religion was a personal matter that was seldom discussed in public. No longer. Today religion is everywhere, from books to movies to television to the internet-to say nothing about politics. Now religion is marketed and advertised like any other product or service. How did this happen? And what does it mean for religion and for our culture? Just as we shop for goods and services, we shop for church. A couple of generations ago Americans remained in the faith they were born into. Today, many Americans change their denomination or religion, sometimes several times. Churches that know how to appeal to those shopping for God are thriving. Think megachurches. Churches that don't know how to do this or don't bother are fading away. Think mainline Protestant churches. Religion is now celebrated and shown off like a fashion accessory. We can wear our religious affiliation like a designer logo. But, says James Twitchell, this isn't because Americans are undergoing another Great Awakening; rather, it's a sign that religion providers-that is, churches-have learned how to market themselves. There is more competition among churches than ever in our history. Filling the pew is an exercise in salesmanship, and as with any marketing campaign, it requires establishing a brand identity. Successful pastors ("pastorpreneurs," Twitchell calls them) know how to speak the language of Madison Avenue as well as the language of the Bible. In this witty, engaging book, Twitchell describes his own experiences trying out different churches to discover who knows how to "do church" well. He takes readers into the land of karaoke Christianity, where old-style contemplative sedate religion has been transformed into a public, interactive event with giant-screen televisions, generic iconography (when there is any at all), and ample parking. Rarely has America's religious culture been examined so perceptively and so entertainingly. Shopping for God does for religion what Fast Food Nation has done for food.

Going Shopping with God

Going Shopping with God PDF Author: Sylvia Bryden-Stock
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781962492164
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
When we bring the creator God into our daily life, each day becomes more exciting as we see him manifest what we need in creative ways. Inspired from the author's life experiences, the reader will tap into powerful information and biblical truths related to walking with God and expecting Him to help in time of need. Philippians chapter 4:19 tells us - "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Would God Go Shopping?

Would God Go Shopping? PDF Author: Marcus Culverwell
Publisher: ShieldCrest Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 1911090615
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 97

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Book Description
Facing up to the dark realities of rampant consumerism is one of the greatest challenges of rich world Christians in the 21st Century. Developed world economies have grown rich by exploiting the poor and causing untold damage to planet Earth's human carrying capacity.. Anyone who claims to be Christian, anyone who cares about their brothers and sisters in the developing nations of the world, and anyone who cares about our own children's futures, must understand the extent of the problems and recognise their role in turning things around. This book will open the eyes of the reader to the great inequalities and also the ecological damage caused by an unsustainable and immoral economic model and it will challenge them to do their bit to put it right.

Edwards the Exegete

Edwards the Exegete PDF Author: Douglas A. Sweeney
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190687495
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 407

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Book Description
Scholars have long recognized that Jonathan Edwards loved the Bible. But preoccupation with his role in Western "public" life and letters has resulted in a failure to see the significance of his biblical exegesis. Douglas A. Sweeney offers the first comprehensive history of Edwards' interpretation of the Bible.

Breaking Busy

Breaking Busy PDF Author: Alli Worthington
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310342244
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
Have you ever felt like a fraud or failure as you struggle to find balance in life? Do you find yourself juggling everything in mediocrity and feeling like you're succeeding at very little? In her no-nonsense style, Alli Worthington--popular podcaster and author of The Year of Living Happy--tackles the big questions about finding happiness and one's God-given purpose. Have you ever felt like a fraud or failure as you struggle to find balance in life? Do you find yourself juggling everything in mediocrity and feeling like you're succeeding at very little? In her no-nonsense way, Alli Worthington tackles the big questions about finding happiness and one's God-given purpose. Breaking Busy marries popular secular research with solid biblical principles, instilling confidence that you, too, can move from crazy busy to confident calm. With refreshing candor, uproarious true stories, and a Christian worldview, Alli delivers truths that dismantle common happiness myths. Then she empowers you to get unstuck, to let go of the good to make way for the great, to know yourself and your Creator, and ultimately to find peace and purpose in this world of crazy. You will: Learn how to stop chasing what leaves you empty and start doing what you were created to do. Identify the common lies you believe and how to strip their power from your life. Recognize how what you say no to determines what you can say yes to. With relatable anecdotes, Alli models real-life guidance on boundaries, relationships, and self-care, humbly examining her own mistakes and walking through how she learned from her missteps and found peace in a world of busyness. If you long to find real connection with both your loved ones and your Creator, Alli Worthington deftly balances intelligent humility and heartwarming humor to help you rediscover your path.

Shopping Malls and Other Sacred Spaces

Shopping Malls and Other Sacred Spaces PDF Author: Jon Pahl
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 160608397X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
Christian historian Sidney Mead has observed: In America space has played the part that time has played in older cultures of the world. In Shopping Malls and Other Sacred Spaces, Jon Pahl examines this provocative statement in conversation with what he calls the spatial character of American theology. He argues that places are always imaginatively constructed by the human beings who inhabit them. Sometimes this spatial theology works to our benefit; other times it poses spiritual risks. What happens when our banal clothing of the sacred violates our genuine need for comfort and intimacy? Or when we remember that the fleeting pleasures of a shopping trip or a Disneyland escape are designed to fill someone else's pocket rather than the spiritual emptiness in our own hearts? Pahl develops several ways to clothe the divine from within the Christian tradition. He introduces a theology of place that reveals aspects of God's character through biblical metaphors drawn from physical spaces, such as the true vine, the rock, and the living water. Accessible and thought provoking, this enlightening book provides a better grasp of our particularly American way of lending religious significance to spaces of all kinds.

Growing in Godliness

Growing in Godliness PDF Author: Lindsey Carlson
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433563878
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 75

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Book Description
"Hands down my favorite book for teen girls." Rosaria Butterfield, author, The Gospel Comes with a House Key Your teen years matter. Of all the ways you're learning and changing during the busy teenage years, your growth in Christ is the most important. God intends to use your teen years as a launching pad into a lifelong pursuit of looking more like Jesus. This book will help you prioritize your Christian growth—pointing you to the resources God has given you in his Word, in prayer, and in the church; offering help for managing your emotions, watching your words, and bearing spiritual fruit; and challenging you with ways to center your life around this important task. Even as a teenager, you have all it takes to grow in godliness.

Conversations with God for Teens

Conversations with God for Teens PDF Author: Neale Donald Walsch
Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing
ISBN: 1612831168
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
Suppose you could ask God any question and get an answer. What would it be? Young people all over the world have been asking those questions. So Neale Donald Walsch, author of the internationally bestselling Conversations with God series had another conversation. Conversations with God for Teens is a simple, clear, straight-to-the-point dialogue that answers teens questions about God, money, sex, love, and more. Conversations with God for Teens reads like a rap session at a church youth group, where teenagers discuss everything they ever wanted to know about life but were too afraid to ask God. Walsch acts as the verbal conduit, showing teenagers how easy it is to converse with the divine. When Claudia, age 16, from Perth, Australia, asks, "Why can't I just have sex with everybody? What's the big deal?", the answer God offers her is: "Nothing you do will ever be okay with everybody. 'Everybody' is a large word. The real question is can you have sex and have it be okay with you?" There's no doubt that the casual question-and-answer format will help make God feel welcoming and accessible to teens. Conversations with God for Teens is the perfect gift purchase for parents, grandparents, and anyone else who wants to provide accessible spiritual content for the teen(s) in their lives.

The Practice of the Presence of God (操練神的同在)

The Practice of the Presence of God (操練神的同在) PDF Author: Brother Lawrence
Publisher: Hyweb Technology Co. Ltd.
ISBN:
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 311

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Book Description


Unleashing the Power of Intercessory Prayer

Unleashing the Power of Intercessory Prayer PDF Author: Joseph Hollcraft
Publisher: Sophia Institute Press
ISBN: 1644133393
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description
Intercessory prayer is not something you have to do. It's something you are privileged to do. Indeed, praying for others is a beautiful way of thinking, acting, and living like Christ. Yet many people struggle with intercessory prayer because they lack a coherent understanding of what prayer is and because they're not well grounded in how to pray. This inspiring book walks you through nine key steps to boosting your intercessory prayer's power and efficacy. Each step is paired with practical tips to help you implement the principle in your daily life, a patron saint to provide direction and encouragement on your journey, and prompt questions to guide meditations and journaling. Armed with these tools, you can revitalize your prayer life and begin responding with confidence to those in need of your intercession. With this book's help, your “Yes, I will pray for you!” will have new meaning and poten